2026 Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Master’s Degree Schools
Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 148 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pastoral studies/counseling students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Pastoral Studies/Counseling in the United States
See the highest-ranked pastoral studies/counseling schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Pastoral Studies/Counseling
Leading the list is Loyola Marymount University, our #1 school for pastoral studies/counseling. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 11 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Loyola Marymount University
A rank of #2 makes Andrews University one of the top schools for pastoral studies/counseling. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Andrews University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Andrews University earn around $57,865 in the first couple years of their career. Andrews University graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Andrews University
Bethel University Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. About 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Bethel University Minnesota
Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pastoral studies/counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 14 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Vanguard University Of Southern California earn around $80,727 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Vanguard University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong pastoral studies/counseling program will find one at University Of St Thomas Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 25 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from University Of St Thomas Texas earn around $58,265 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from University Of St Thomas Texas
Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 51 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $46,241 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Loyola University Chicago
Biola University placed #7 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Biola University
Maranatha Baptist Bible College earned the #8 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. About 64% of students finish within six years. Maranatha Baptist Bible College awarded about 17 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #9 for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded about 28 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $55,308 in their early career. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Grace College And Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Pastoral Studies/counseling graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $43,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Grace College And Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #11 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 32 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the most recent year.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Neumann University landed the #12 spot for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Neumann University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Neumann University earn around $56,542 in the first couple years of their career. Neumann University graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Neumann University
Dallas Theological Seminary ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Dallas Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Dallas Theological Seminary earn around $45,207 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary
Southeastern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakeland. Southeastern University graduates 44% of students within six years. Southeastern University awarded about 24 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $35,209. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full pastoral studies/counseling program report for Southeastern University
Amridge University placed #15 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. There were roughly 11 pastoral studies/counseling students who graduated with this degree at Amridge University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pastoral studies/counseling degree recipients from Amridge University generally make around $46,125.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Amridge University
Luther Rice University And Seminary earned the #16 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. Luther Rice University And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lithonia. Luther Rice University And Seminary awarded about 23 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pastoral studies/counseling program make about $38,760 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,730.
Read more about the pastoral studies/counseling program at Luther Rice University And Seminary
Naropa University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Naropa University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Naropa University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Naropa University earn around $27,750 in the first couple years of their career. Naropa University graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Naropa University
Asbury Theological Seminary placed #18 among the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. Asbury Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. Asbury Theological Seminary awarded about 12 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pastoral studies/counseling degree from Asbury Theological Seminary earn around $44,082 in the first couple years of their career.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for Asbury Theological Seminary
World Mission University earned the #19 position for pastoral studies/counseling this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. World Mission University awarded about 18 pastoral studies/counseling degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full pastoral studies/counseling details for World Mission University
Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best pastoral studies/counseling schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rio Piedras. About 13 pastoral studies/counseling degrees were awarded at Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa
Other Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Pastoral Studies/Counseling rankings across degree levels:
View All Pastoral Studies/Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 148 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
